Morning Briefing: Early May "Best-Case Scenario" for Baseball's Return

Good Morning, Mets fans! Yesterday was a bummer, especially for us baseball fans. But today is a new day, and we hope everyone continues to stay healthy, happy, and home!

Here’s what you need to know:

Rob Manfred sat down with ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt to discuss a potential return date for baseball, as well as the ongoing Red Sox investigation. As for that return date, Manfred anticipates “best-case scenario” to be early May. As for those Red Sox, Manfred claimed that he was “done” with the investigation but has yet to find time to write the actual report.

Latest Mets News

On Thursday, the Mets optioned relievers Paul Sewald and Daniel Zamora to Triple-A. Both Sewald and Zamora impressed this spring, with each giving up just one run in their respective five innings.

Latest MLB News

The Houston Astros announced that Jimmy Wynn passed away at the age of 78. Wynn played 11 of his 15 years in the Major Leagues with the Astros, hitting .250/.366/.436 with 291 home runs.

Kiley McDaniel of ESPN reported that MLB and the MLBPA are working on a solution for the 2020 MLB Amateur Draft. According to McDaniel, the draft could potentially take place in July, involve ten – or possibly even five – rounds, and include deferments on player bonuses.

Jeff Passan of ESPN followed up on Thursday evening, reporting that the above deal will likely include MLB owners advancing $170M to players for April and May. If the season were to be cancelled, that money could then be kept by the players.

Fanatics, the company that is licensed by Major League Baseball to produce fan gear, has stopped production of MLB jerseys in order to start creating protective masks and gowns for those in the medical field currently battling COVID-19.

Per Emily Waldon of The Athletic: The Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright and his wife Jenny have donated $250,000 to support Cardinal minor leaguers as they navigate the COVID-19 crisis and a postponed season.

Opening Day was going to be an opportunity for all baseball fans to come together in order to achieve a common goal: relentlessly booing the Houston Astros. Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal mourned this loss, while also pondering the value of a sports villain.

According to Rotoworld, the Cleveland Indians optioned pitchers Aaron Civale, James Karinchak, Zach Plesac, and outfielder Bradley Zimmer to Triple-A.

Latest NL East News

Yahoo Sports caught up with Phillies manager Joe Girardi as they sifted through old baseball cards and discussed rivals, meltdowns, and that “catcher fraternity.”

Latest on MMO

Michelle Ioannou gathered some of her fellow MMO writers to share their most memorable Opening Day.

Speaking of Opening Day, Joe D. was invited by Strat-O-Matic to manage our New York Mets in a 2020 MLB Season Simulation – and sadly, New York fell to Washington by a score of 4-3 in their first simulated match-up.

Matt Musico noted just how critical the Mets’ bullpen performance is to the team’s overall success, now that Noah Syndergaard is down for the count.

On this week’s episode of the Simply Amazin’ podcast, Tim Ryder and MMO’s Mathew Brownstein sat down to discuss how the Mets’ plan to fill the gap left by Syndergaard, as well as how we can pass the time as baseball remains on hold.

Tim Ryder also had the time to throw it back with a preview of the 2000 Mets’ upcoming season. Check back in the coming weeks as we continue to relive the entire 2000 season!